Most of us know that exercising, whether it’s sweating it out at the gym or going for a jog around the local park, is really good for us, and will hopefully keep our bodies fit and strong for as long as possible. That’s why we make such an effort to workout as often as we can, right?
However, few of us consider the importance of working out for our brains too? Yes. If you want your brain to stay sharp, your memory to be clear, and your ability to think to remain effective, you need to add mental workouts into your life too. Not convinced? Read on to see why it’s so important and how you can make workouts for your brain a bigger, regular part of your life right now.
Why Does Your Brain Need a Workout?
Imagine your brain as being basically a giant supercomputer that’s been with you since birth, constantly adapting, learning, and changing its internal wiring based on what you experience day to day throughout your life. If you only use certain parts of it repeatedly—think of the daily grind of job tasks and mindless scrolling—it’s sort of like choosing the same default program over and over again and letting all those other cool apps languish, unclicked and unloved. Your brain craves new information, new challenges, and novel ways to solve problems. The more you push your boundaries, the more neural connections you forge.
Of course, it’s not like you have to read an entire encyclopedia in one night or solve advanced calculus puzzles on your lunch break. The brain, in its infinite wisdom, can be stimulated in countless ways that are far less painful. Even a seemingly ordinary activity like learning to juggle for the first time fires off new connections. Anytime you try to master a new skill or push yourself a bit outside your comfort zone, your brain gains strength—much like your biceps do when you finally pick up something heavier than a remote control.
It’s also worth noting that a strong brain can support emotional well-being. When you exercise your mental muscles, you become more resilient. Everyday stressors—like your boss piling on last-minute tasks or your best friend forgetting your birthday—become more manageable. You’re literally training your brain to handle new information and new challenges in a flexible, adaptive way. So, if for no other reason than to keep your cool in traffic, it might be time to add some mental jumping jacks into your daily routine.
The Boredom Factor and How to Beat It
Think of your brain like an inquisitive puppy that will chew the couch if you don’t provide toys. If you get stuck in the same routine day after day, your mind will inevitably become bored. Bored brains find trouble in all sorts of unexpected places. Maybe you start overthinking that offhand remark your friend made a month ago, or you dive a bit too deep into conspiracy theories involving squirrels. Either way, you might be itching for something more stimulating.
Keeping your brain engaged doesn’t have to be a monumental task. Start by seeking out small changes. Drive a slightly different route to work. Sign up for a class in an area you know nothing about—like pottery or salsa dancing. Trying new recipes in the kitchen can also spice up your mental repertoire. It might look like total chaos the first time you try to flambé something without burning off your eyebrows, but your brain will be wide awake. Stepping away from the same old routine forces your mind to learn and adapt, which is exactly the kind of workout it adores.
Find Joy in Puzzles and Games
The notion of “training your brain” might conjure up images of dusty textbooks, endless math problems, or standardized tests that haunted your dreams in high school. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be so grim. Yes, a challenging book or online course can be fantastic, but so can a fun puzzle, a strategy-based board game, or a daily brain-teaser habit. One overlooked gem is the classic game of FreeCell, a solitaire variant that demands more strategy than you might initially suspect. There’s a reason it’s more interesting than the mindless card matching you might do on your phone when you’re trying not to drool at the doctor’s office. FreeCell requires planning, foresight, and logic. With each new deal, you’re giving your brain a small but important challenge, effectively flexing your mental muscles in a way that’s anything but dull.
If you’re not a card-game fan, there are plenty of apps, puzzles, or even real-world brain teasers you can explore that will benefit your brain health. Crossword puzzles are a classic pick for word-lovers. Sudoku is a go-to if you’re more numerically inclined. Jigsaw puzzles are a delightful blend of visual perception and logic. Even a daily riddle can do wonders, especially if it tickles your funny bone. The point is to find an activity that makes your mind do a mini victory dance when you succeed. You want to be intrigued, invested, and maybe even slightly frustrated at times (which just proves your brain is working).
Reading: It’s Not Just for Bookworms
There’s a reason your elementary school teacher insisted that reading was magical. Books can transport you to far-off lands, expand your worldview, and build your vocabulary—all while sitting on your favorite chair with a cozy blanket. When you read, you’re not only absorbing content, you’re also exercising your imagination, memory, and concentration. Reading can be a low-pressure, high-return workout for your brain.
If you’re someone who gets sleepy by page three, perhaps it’s because you haven’t found the right genre. Not everyone is cut out for lengthy historical biographies. Pick up a comedic memoir, a gripping thriller, or even a fantasy saga where dragons are best friends with unicorns—whatever keeps your eyes glued to the page. If you’re more of a “listen while you do laundry” type, audiobooks can also serve as brain candy. Some folks might argue you’re not “really” reading, but let them argue while you enjoy your mental escape into new ideas, stories, and perspectives.
Why Curiosity is the Ultimate Mental Gym Membership
Curiosity might have gotten a bad rap thanks to that saying about the cat, but it’s actually an amazing ally in brain fitness. When you follow your curiosity, you’re embracing the unknown. You spot a new concept, skill, or topic and think, “Huh, I’d like to learn more about that,” and off you go down the rabbit hole. The next thing you know, it’s 2 a.m., you’re still awake, and you could write a passionate essay on obscure Greek pottery techniques. Did you plan on becoming an expert on Greek pottery? Probably not. But your brain just did a marathon it didn’t even know it wanted.
Most of the time, we associate curiosity with children because they’re always asking questions. But there’s no expiration date on being inquisitive. Embracing curiosity could be as simple as watching a documentary on space travel or listening to a podcast on how your favorite snack food is made. You can also explore local clubs or gatherings where people discuss hobbies like astronomy, photography, or medieval reenactment (yes, jousting might be a bit extreme for a first date, but it’s definitely an experience your brain won’t forget). Every time you expand what you know, you’re effectively giving your brain a fresh set of weights to lift.
Yes, your body needs exercise, but so does your mind, so don’t let it become weak!
